How to manually score a test

Applies to

Scorers
Administrators
Group Managers

Prerequisites

The assessment contains items configured for manual scoring.
The test taker has completed the session.
The session is within the configured scoring window, if scoring dates have been defined.

Purpose

This guide explains how to manually score assessments that contain open-ended or manually graded items. Manual scoring allows scorers to evaluate responses, assign scores, provide feedback, and finalize assessment results.

Steps

1. Open the session

Open Sessions in TAO Portal.
Locate the session you want to score.
Select Enter Session.

The session overview displays all assigned test takers and their scoring status.

2. Identify assessments that require scoring

Review the Scoring Status column.

Common statuses include:

Scoring needed – The assessment contains responses that require manual scoring.
Scored – The assessment has already been graded.
Awaiting submission – The test taker has not yet submitted the assessment.

Only completed assessments with a status of Scoring needed can be manually scored.

3. Open the scoring interface

Choose one of the following options:

Select Score next to an individual test taker's assessment.
Select Score All to score multiple assessments in a batch.

When using Score All, TAO presents the same item across multiple test takers before moving to the next item.

4. Score responses

Review the test taker's response.
On the panel on the left, review any additional materials (such as a rubric).

Select the appropriate score for category (such as Word Choice or Reading Comprehension).

The available scores (and scoring categories) are determined by the scoring configuration defined for the item.

Use the navigation controls to move between items (only items with manual scoring will display)

5. Add feedback and notes (optional)

You can provide additional information during scoring:

Add feedback for the test taker by selecting text in the response and choosing Write Feedback. This will display when a test taker reviews their test:

Add internal notes using the scorer's notes field:

Use highlighting or marking tools if they are enabled for your environment (pencil icon in the top-right corner).

Scorer notes and markings are visible to scorers and reviewers, but not to test takers.

6. Review scoring progress

Select See Overview to view:

Scores assigned to each interaction
Scoring progress
Bookmarked items
Scorer notes

Use the overview page to verify that all required items have been scored before submitting.

7. Submit the scores

Confirm that all manually scored items have been graded.
Select Send Scores.
Select Submit the Scores to finalize the assessment.

Once submitted, the assessment's scoring status changes to Scored.

8. Reopen scoring (if needed)

Administrators and Group Managers can reopen a previously scored assessment if rescoring is required.

Open the session overview.
Select the ellipsis (...) next to the test taker's assessment.
Select Reopen Scoring.

The assessment can then be reviewed and scored again before resubmitting the scores.